DETROIT – Detroit Red Wings forward Todd Bertuzzi has said all along he was going to put the team’s best interests first when a decision on whether or not he would return this season would be made.

That decision has been made and it looks like Bertuzzi will return to the ice Thursday night at home against the Nashville Predators.

“I’ll be ready to play (Thursday),” said Bertuzzi, who was originally thought to be playing Wednesday against Los Angeles. “I needed another hard skate. Like I said before, I can’t come in and not be ready to play a full 60 (minutes) and help out, contribute, be big down low, finish my checks.

“I’ve been skating, but I haven’t pushed it as hard as I possibly can,” Bertuzzi continued. “I want to make sure it was right. I went and got more therapy and it seems like it’s working. This gives me an extra day to get stronger and get my wind. Coming in on a back-to-back may be good for the team to get some fresh legs and an enthusiastic player.”

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Bertuzzi has not played since Feb. 7 after pinching a nerve in his back, which limited his strength in his leg.

The Wings forward had to spend a few days in the hospital after the injury and later needed a cane to help him walk.

“It’s just getting up to speed,” Wings coach Mike Babcock said. “You haven’t been in and suddenly you want to get in. The team doesn’t practice. We haven’t practiced this week and you want to practice with the team. You want a full out practice and I can’t remember the last time that happened so that’s the problem with it. But as soon as he’s comfortable mentally and physically then we can try and get him in the lineup.”

Bertuzzi has played seven games this season, registering two goals and an assist.

“I really wanted to play (Wednesday), but I needed to skate hard with (assistant coach) Tom (Renney) there in the end,” Bertuzzi said. “I needed to do one-on-one drills with the defenseman. I needed to get some pushing and shoving down low. I needed to get crosschecked in the back. I needed to be able to spin off and needed to be able to stop and start and take off with the puck.

“Having my third visit to the doctor I needed to make sure I tested it properly and got it taken care of,” Bertuzzi added. “The last thing I wanted to do was for them to take a fresh guy out and have me play one period because something didn’t go right. Like I said before the team is bigger than any individual and you have to approach it that way.”

Bertuzzi skated with the bottom six forwards on Wednesday and expects to play on either the third or fourth line Thursday.

“I do feel I can make an impact with the guys,” Bertuzzi said. “I play for these guys and I play hard for these guys when I’m in there. I’ll stick up for them and I’ll do what I can for this group. It’s a great group and these guys have been giving their all. I just want to get in there and tow the rope with them and take care of this task we have ahead of us.

Samuelsson cleared

Forward Mikael Samuelsson (pectoral muscle) has been cleared to play, but was a healthy scratch Wednesday.

“No,” Babcock when asked if Samuelsson would play Wednesday. “That’s my decision.”

Samuelsson has played all of four games this season, missing due to numerous injuries.

“(I’m) back to normal,” Samuelsson said. “I think I have conditioning. I would like to think so. Game is a game. It’s more timing. Guys coming against you and stuff like that, that’s the biggest thing.

“I believe I can play,” Samuelsson added. “It’s not about feeling sorry for myself, it’s about the team. It’s not the right time to think to that right now. I’m ready whenever they want.”

Miller won’t need surgery

Forward Drew Miller won’t need surgery to mend his broken right hand. He’ll just be in a cast for four to six weeks.

“We’re hoping for four, there’s really not much more you can do,” said Miller, who suffered the injury in Vancouver Saturday blocking a shot. “Pound your calcium, your vitamin D, do the bone stimulator as much as I can. Let it rest for a bit and get back on the ice and skate, and be in the weight room and do as much as I can to be ready for the end of the second round, somewhere around there. So just support the guys. Hopefully we get in. From there, do as much as I can to be helping out, being around. I want to be back as fast as I can.”

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